The distinguished German bass, Kurt (Gerhard) Böhme, was a student of Adolf Kluge at the Dresden Conservatory.

In 1930 Kurt Böhme made his operatic debut as Caspar in Der Freischütz at the Dresden State Opera, where he remained as one of its principal. artists until 1950; then was a member of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. In 1936 he made his first appearaqce at London's Covent Garden with the visiting Dresden State Opera. Later he made regular appearances there from 1956 to 1970. He also was a guest artist in Vienna, Bayreuth, and Milan. In November 1954 he made his Metropolitan Opera debut in New York as Pogner in Die Meistersinger, and was again on its roster in 1956-1957 [2 seasons, 23 performances, 6 roles].

Kurt Böhme was especially admired for his Wagnerian roles, but he also won great acclaim as Baron Ochs.